Man of the Year Award: Igbo group thanks The Sun for honouring Tinubu

…Rates newspaper first among equals

By Ndubuisi Orji

A socio-political group, the Igbo Coalition in Lagos, has expressed appreciation to the Chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and the management of the company for honouring national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as The Sun Man of the Year 2015.
Chairman of the group, Chief Chris Ekwilo, said as supporters of the APC leader, it was imperative for the group to visit the newspaper house to thank the company for recognising the contributions of Tinubu to Nigeria’s democracy.
He stated this when he led other members of the group from across the state on what he described as a “solidarity, appreciation and courtesy” visit to the corporate headquarters of the company in Lagos yesterday.
Ekwilo, who explained that the Igbo Coalition consists of different Igbo socio-cultural groups in Lagos, said only God knows what could have befallen Nigeria, without the contributions of the likes of Tinubu.
He lauded The Sun for its untiring efforts to keep Nigerians informed, noting that the newspaper remains the number one in the country.
Ekwilo called on all Nigerians, especially Ndigbo, to continue patronizing the newspaper which, he said, contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic and political development of the country through its rich editorial content. He added that The Sun remains the most authentic voice of the nation and Ndigbo, in particular.
He pledged the continued support of the group to Dr Kalu in his determined effort to give a voice to Ndigbo in the country.
“Some time ago, The Sun gave our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The Sun Man of the year award. So, we are here to appreciate the company for this eminently deserved award.
“We, his political children, appreciate the award. Only God knows what could have befallen Nigeria, if not for the likes of Asiwaju Tinubu.
“We are here to say thank you very much for the honour. And we equally thank the publisher, our own brother.
“The Sun is the hottest delicacy. Nobody can go a day without The Sun. We have come to the company for the award given to our national leader, Tinubu. The Sun is the best newspaper in Nigeria. Very unique and first among equals.
“The Sun remains our own. It remains the highest selling newspaper. Every Nigerian, especially Igbos, should be addicted to The Sun; if not, you are missing something. We, the entire Igbo Coalition, see The Sun as our own,” Ekwilo said.
Earlier, Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Eric Osagie, while welcoming the visitors, urged them to continue supporting the newspaper, stressing that The Sun is their own.
He said apart from being their own, it is also the highest selling newspaper in the country, circulating in every nook and cranny of the country.
Osagie said Dr. Kalu represents the true spirit of the Igbo man and urged the coalition to continue supporting him, noting that he means well for Ndigbo and Nigerians at large, adding that the former governor is the kind of man Ndigbo need to represent them in the Senate this time.
He encouraged them to sustain the Igbo spirit of industry, hospitality and peaceful co-existence, promising that The Sun would continue to protect and project their interest.
The visitors later observed a minute silence in honour of the former deputy managing director of the country, late Mr Dimgba Igwe.
The delegation who came with fun-fair, amidst drumming and dancing, included Chief Osita Nweke, chairman, Ohanaeze, Mushin local government area; Chief (Mrs) Kate Ugoka, woman leader, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos; Eze Guy Nwajiofor Okoli, Eze Igbo, Ajeromi Ifelodun local government area, amongst other eminent personalities.
Highlights of the visit included traditional breaking of kola-nuts, goodwill messages from the various Igbo groups that make up the coalition and prayers for the company, Kalu, Tinubu, Buhari, Ndigbo and Nigeria.